Egg Fried Rice

Introduction

Egg Fried Rice is a quintessential comfort food, beloved for its simplicity, satisfying flavors, and the ease with which it turns leftover rice into a delicious meal. Its versatility is unmatched—you can whip it up as a quick lunch, a reliable side dish, or a hearty main course by adding proteins or extra vegetables.

Why Egg Fried Rice is a Must-Try

This recipe stands out because of its perfectly balanced texture—tender rice grains enveloped in fluffy scrambled eggs, accented with pops of umami from soy sauce and the gentle bite of scallions. It’s endlessly customizable, irresistibly savory, and comes together in less than 20 minutes using pantry staples, making it a weeknight hero and crowd pleaser.

The Secret to Restaurant-Style Egg Fried Rice

The key to great Egg Fried Rice is using cold, day-old rice. Firmer than freshly cooked rice, it won’t stick together or turn mushy in the pan. Cooking the eggs separately before folding them into the rice ensures every bite has soft, distinct pieces of egg—just like your favorite takeout version.

Assembling the Perfect Egg Fried Rice

Begin by heating oil in a wok or large skillet, then quickly scrambling the eggs until just set. Set eggs aside. Sauté onions, garlic, and your chosen vegetables, then add the rice and stir-fry until hot. Return the eggs to the pan, add soy sauce and seasonings, and toss everything together until flavorful and evenly coated. Finish with fresh scallions for an aromatic flair.

Serving Suggestions for Egg Fried Rice

Serve Egg Fried Rice as an easy main dish or a side alongside stir-fried vegetables, grilled chicken, or shrimp. For extra texture and nutrition, consider adding diced bell peppers, peas, or carrots. Garnish with sesame seeds or a splash of chili oil for added depth and a gentle kick.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. For the classic version, each serving contains about 220–250 calories, depending on the amount and type of oil used, plus any added meats or vegetables—delivering a satisfying and balanced meal!

Egg Fried Rice Recap

Egg Fried Rice is the ultimate answer to “what’s for dinner?” when you’re short on time but want maximum flavor. Its unbeatable combination of fluffy eggs, savory rice, and crunchy vegetables makes this dish a staple you’ll want to return to again and again.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just set. Remove eggs from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the remaining oil to the pan. Sauté onion and garlic for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant and softened.
3. If using, add frozen peas and carrots to the onion mixture. Stir-fry for 2 more minutes, until heated through.
4. Add the cold cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, until rice is hot and slightly toasted.
5. Return the scrambled eggs to the pan. Add soy sauce, sesame oil (if using), and sliced scallions. Toss to coat rice evenly, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
6. Remove from heat. Garnish with extra scallions and serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

Egg Fried Rice is the ideal candidate for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan to easily automate shopping lists and allocate ingredients from all your planned meals in seconds.

Planning Benefits:

• Smartly calculates total ingredient quantities across your full week of recipes
• Sorts grocery lists by store section for fast, focused shopping
• Reduces duplicate purchasing and eliminates missed ingredients
• Streamlines meal prep for hectic weekdays

Pro tip: When you plan your week, CookifyAI consolidates ingredients (like eggs or rice) used in multiple recipes so your shopping list tells you the exact total you need—no more guesswork or last-minute store runs.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes